My name is Sita and I have been living in the Himalayas in India for the past 3 years, pre-Covid lockdown, when I returned to my home country, South Africa. Most of my life has been dedicated to textiles, thread, and fiber arts. I have been following this thread and it has taken me many places as a Fiber-Nomad. I seek out craft and color wherever I go, or it finds me…
My fiber journey is my life, my passion, my joy, and my meditation.
In the Himalayas, I taught, shared, and learned from the women there who weave, knit, and spin the abundant local wool. This Retreat is not only about knitting and weaving, although these are the creative mediums we will explore. It is about the meditative process of creating by hand, with a full focus on the present moment.
THE RETREAT:
Handcraft of any kind, be it stitch, knit, weave, spin, dye, etc. is therapeutic. It calms the mind by the aid of stopping the repetitive thoughts that distract us from being present. The final result is a creation made with intention.
Our practice is simple and does not require any advanced knitting and weaving techniques.
Basic knit and purl stitch is all you kneed to know and no weaving experience is necessary.
We will start our days with movement and breathing techniques and meditate in the peaceful gardens of Temenos Retreat. We will have time to knit and share together in a group - ONLY 6 PARTICIPANTS. We will also spend time alone, creating in meditative silence in the beautiful gardens, full of birds and flowers at this time in Spring. We will complete a small cushion and fill it with our colorful joy and meditation.
TECHNIQUES we will learn:
- Weaving into a knitted piece of work
- Stocking stitch knitting with crochet hook cast on
- How to read and design a simple chart to knit from
- Blocking the finished piece
SPECIAL BONUS:
We will have a live connection on Zoom with my friend and knitting buddy the designer Naama Ido-@hasargaknit, Who is still knitting and designing in the Indian Himalayas exactly where we have met! Naama will share her Fiber story and how the thread and fiber
brought us together in the Himalayas. Even though we now live on different continents, still keeps us entwined on our journey.
RETREAT DATES AND INFO:
The Create Meditate Knit Retreat will start on Friday- September 17th at 2 pm to Sunday- September 19th at 1 pm.
Cost of Retreat R3950.
50% deposit on booking to secure your cottage, Full payment required on arrival at Temenos 17 SEPTEMBER 2021.
ALL BOOKINGS must be made via Temenos website directly. Any further enquiries about the Retreat can be directed to me: shamanilegros@gmail.com Whatsapp 071 472 7671
The full package includes a free night’s stay on Sunday, September 19th. I will be available also on Sunday afternoon to continue with any questions and spend creative- reflective time together.
The price is inclusive of:
A kit for the cushion, all materials and needles, and an extra Weave in Knit pattern designed By Naama.
Accommodation in your own cottage with a full self-catering kitchen and a fireplace.
Meals: daily breakfast, dinner, and tea break refreshments- Vegan/vegetarian is available on request.
Lunch will not be provided- you are welcome to use the fridge and cooking facilities in your cottage. If you decide to stay for free on Sunday night you will be responsible for all meals and refreshments from Sunday lunch to Monday breakfast.